Summary
- SAN is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Mineral acids (+45 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+28 points); Organic acids (+12 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+94 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+76 points); Phenols (+61 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+39 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+32 points); Alcohols and glycols (+28 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+22 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+21 points); Foods and beverages (+14 points)
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | SAN: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 61 % (18 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 79 % (24 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (8 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (80 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 73 % (26 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 70 % (33 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 25 % (8 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (19 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 0 % (19 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 56 % (9 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (24 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 68 % (22 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 5 % (20 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 82 % (22 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 155 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | SAN | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Anise Oil | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bismuth Chloride | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Cloves | ground | D | A |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAN or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 362 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, SAN and Aluminium share the same rating in 169 rows (47 %). SAN is rated better in 91 rows and Aluminium in 102 rows.
How do SAN and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 362 chemicals tested for both: SAN is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Phenols, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with –.
About this data
The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.
A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.